judging by your pictures 2 things could have happened.
1)there was still an electrical surge that got to it.
2) someone screwed in to the wires.

I can't understand the sentiment to run for the hills if you have a chance to buy a Nitsuko system.
They are a rock solid system that has been going strong for many customers for 20+ years. They are old, they are a bit difficult to program. However, if you want a reliable phone system and someone knows how to program them, you can get one new in box, AND you don't care about the latest and greatest bells and whistles, you know for about 1K you can get a system that will last you 20 years. So go ahead and run.


[Linked Image from i26.servimg.com]
TouchPoint Networks.

Serving the Northwest Since 1991
NEC Shoretel Zultys T3 Tadiran